You Are My City and Fortress (2021)

Honest opinion - You Are My Hero (2021)

This might be one of the best C-dramas of the first quarter of 2021. I'm leaving out any fantasy or crime or any other genre, but it was almost perfect in action-romance wise. Right now I'm waiting for subtitles for 'One boat, One world' because as much as of what I've seen and who the actors are, it will be one of my fav c-dramas, I trust my instincts.

First, I think this drama had a solid storyline, it wasn't overdramatized as so many Chinese modern romance dramas are these days. The storyline wasn't a surprise and I could guess almost every part of it, but it was still fun, intriguing, emotional, warm, logical, etc. For me, if there would have been a bit more romance, or more straight forward romance, that would have been great, but this only brought the score down a little bit. Side character stories were pretty good, but I would add that also, like the main couple, even though they were shown well, instead of making them have such a long time to get together, having so many misunderstandings, they should have made them a bit easier to understand each other and show the together time a bit more interesting and sweet. Misunderstandings and problems are reasonably understandable in dramas or stories, but if they take too much time out of the screen time, it makes it difficult to watch, or sometimes a bit boring and I would suggest instead concentrating on real problems and true love-relationship scenarios not only the way to get to them. But still, this drama was good enough to get a review from me, there are so many Chinese dramas I've finished lately, that though good, were never good enough to get it.

I agree that the music was good, but it wasn't impressive. I dislike so many sound effects they use in dramas, and I have to say this drama didn't have too many, but still enough to annoy me and even though the soundtrack was good, it was not balanced as I like and it was too sweet for the whole of this drama. I'm not saying the songs are not good, but they're not amazing either and to implement the mood, the scenes, etc, it wasn't good enough for me, it didn't impress me enough.

I am pretty satisfied with the action/dramatic scenes in this drama. First, they were good, sometimes really good, they implemented real-life actions, psychology, problems, troubles, emotions, etc. I think it was well thought out and it wasn't too excessive. I don't know Chinese, but I've seen medical dramas before, there were either flaws with translation or sad mistakes in medical language, but not many. I know almost nothing about military/police language, so I can't say anything about the structure about what is real, what isn't, but it felt convincing, which means it was really good.

Right now I might have pissed off many people who liked this drama a lot :D I don't really bother myself with it as everyone has their own opinions and feelings.

Actors. Side characters were pretty well selected, their parts were not as full as I wish them to be, but the comic relief to the drama was performed well. I would say for acting they could get a 6.5 score-wise.
The main two actors are familiar to me. From 'Ping pong life' and 'Love me if you dare'. Bai Jing Ting is a good actor. He has his nuances I would like to see more. I like his concentration, as an actor and the way he shows it as a character. He has a specific character nature, He's played in a lot of movies and dramas, I have no doubt he is a good and very specific actor. Right now I can't blame him for the missing essence of this drama, some deepness of romance, I still think it has a lot to do with the scriptwriters. For Ma Si Chun... I loved her with Wallace Huo, she impressed me a lot. Now in this drama, I saw that the same sweetness is apparent. She is sweet and almost as good and deep in her acting as I like. As I just wrote, almost. Though these two have great chemistry in 'You are my hero', I can't really say it's unforgettable. There is missing some romance aspects and I'm not talking about too bold and over the wall acting, I don't expect it to be a Western drama, but even though their sweet together and I can manage to understand them as a couple, and like them as one, I still feel like there is something missing. With great male-female leads in dramas, even if the script is somewhat lacking and I think it could/should be better if the chemistry between actors is good enough, I have no problem with it. But here I felt something missing from the beginning to the end. Someone recently told me that even if I can imagine writing a better plot, there would be new problems arising. I agree with him, I can imagine writing some of their scenes better, but I can't imagine changing the whole plot and having it come out perfectly and in a way others and myself would be happy. So I won't criticise this problem anymore. Like I said. I like both of these actors and they did a great job. I Will definitely watch other series from them and see if it was this drama that had a chemistry problem or is it seen more often and then will make up my mind, what and where exactly is the problem.

Overall, I'm still saying it's a really good drama. I do suggest it to people who like Chinese dramas, I think it has an overall good storyline, good actors and pretty well-developed romance aspects. Even though 40episodes is a pretty long time to take out of our daily lives, I don't think this drama is a waste of time and it was worth my time. Just my honest opinion. :)

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Healthy, adorably awkward

This is probably one of the healthiest relationships I've ever seen in a drama ever, but it was even more than that. They captured the innocence, the awkwardness, the purity of first relationships so perfectly between two characters that just completely believed and trusted in each other. No dumb misunderstandings and breakups, and just consistent communication and mutual support...THIS is what I've always wanted to see in a drama relationship. The side ships were really intriguing as well and overall everyone just acted like real people, which was really refreshing.

This drama spends a decent amount of time on the leads' respective jobs, and it did a really good job in showing what day-to-day was like, as well as tying them together. If anything, however, I wish I saw a little more of Ruan Qing Xia's work — it felt the entire time as if she was kind of an add-on to the drama. Don't get me wrong, I loved her romance plot and her character, but she never had much independent screentime.

Overall, the main leads are also so independent and strong on their own. All the conflicts were resolved really satisfyingly, which is good, though there were times I wish there was some sort of conflict or angst that brought out more emotions in me.

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Highly recommend, like please watch.

This is a really great drama. I loved how realistic the storyline and love story was. I liked how the whole drama didn't solely focus on the lead couple where every scenario revolved around them. It reserved a fair amount of screen time to show the responsibilities of each of their professions. I thought this made the plot and characters more realistic and relatable to the average viewer. It's not some fairytale story where some girl gets swept off her feet by a CEO or smart guy. Both leads are heroes in this drama. The pace was good and the leads have great chemistry. There is also much to learn about life and how to love someone. You can see genuine growth and understanding between the leads with every obstacle they face. The supporting characters were also enjoyable to watch. I've watched all 40 episodes and never got bored along the way. There is a good balance between serious and funny scenes. I can't recommend this drama enough! My favorite drama of 2021 so far and it has become my favorite Chinese drama too. A huge thank you to the writers, actors, and production staff for creating a masterpiece that felt like a warm embrace throughout.

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Against all odds I completed this

I’m going to be honest: I never thought I’d complete this drama. I started watching it offhandedly because I’ve been a fan of bai jingting for a while but the 40 episode count for a contemporary drama was a huge “drags on too long and is probably boring in the middle” red flag for me. Additionally, the first 3 episodes genuinely made me so livid I almost dropped the show then and there because of the female leads initial characterisation (she was so childish and entitled and I rly did not understand her actions at all let alone how she was a qualified doctor) and the tired predictable romance cliches (apparently the webnovel this is based on is over 10 years old .. that carries…)

But I persisted ! And for the most part I’m glad I did. I can’t deny that I was right that this dragged in the middle but for the most part I had a good time watching this. Certain plot lines either bored me or irrationally angered me (my poor yanshan you deserved better) not to mention laughable medical inaccuracy in many instances, however the annoyances were minor in comparison to the plot lines that I genuinely enjoyed and particularly in comparison to the truly lovely characterisation and portrayal of the male and female lead (bai jingting and ma sichun did such a good job carrying this drama). I can’t in good conscience rate this drama super highly but I also can’t deny that I had a good time watching and that it feels dear to me. Against all odds I did complete 40 episodes of this which should speak for itself (I’m very fussy with dramas and have a tendency to drop them easily).

I think what really carried this drama as it went on were the two leads, their characterisation, and their chemistry. Some reviewers have commented that their relationship feels too sanitised almost to the extent of bffs or a longterm married couple and I can’t deny that but I also don’t mind ? The way they speak to each other feels so natural and real and all the laughing ?? Truly warmed my heart in several instances and I’m rarely super convinced by romance heavy dramas. I love how the relationship did feel like one between equals with none of the frequently seen cdrama power imbalances or questionable age differences. Both of them were adults with their own sense of self and social circles outside of each other and they both had thriving careers. Their communication especially during the whole shen sister fiasco was honestly so refreshing to see.

As for the several other relationships and characters in this drama . I do have some mixed thoughts. The 2nd couple outside of the earthquake arc mostly just annoyed me but the older couple were pretty endearing even if the flashbacks and long montages for the second and third couples felt … exorbitant (I skipped them). However, in spite of some annoyances most of the relationships in this drama both romantic and platonic were genuinely so enjoyable and a lot of the dialogue genuinely made me either grin or giggle and it honestly caught me off guard. I grew attached to several of the side characters too and thought a lot of them were treated with real love and care and got fleshed out in their own way… except my poor yanshan’s plotline .. who decided that was a good idea. Also why are the nurse characters literally only ever gossiping it’s ridiculous and misogynistic nurses are the backbone of any hospital and I’m tired of medical dramas ignoring that-

ANYWAY. against all odds this drama feels so dear to me. I watched it over 3-4 days while recovering from surgery and overall I’m glad the world and the characters of this show could keep me company. This is a majority very light hearted and heart warming drama with compelling characters and some really interesting and beautiful stories to tell and I’m glad I found it at this moment where I needed something to cheer me up

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Great acting and healthy relationships

You Are My Hero is the rare romance drama that has real, actual, natural acting and believable characters/relationships, but I guess it aspires to be more than just a romance drama as it tries to portray the pressures and challenges of being a SWAT officer and a doctor. Not always realistically, but it tries.

The ACTING. Most of the actors so perfectly portray their characters grounded in real human emotion - the uncertainties, the joy, the awkwardness, the fear, the fun, the pressure. They have believable, specific personalities and you almost forget that you're watching actors and start to think these are just real people in real situations.

The RELATIONSHIPS. Thank goodness we can have dramas that portray healthy relationships without dumb misunderstandings - people who trust each other, support each other, and communicate. And we have different types of people having different types of relationships - we get to see the awkwardly sweet courtship, the bold chase, the mature adult certainty, and more. And not just romantic relationships - XKL's relationship with his sister is just... *chef's kiss*.

The only reason why this isn't a 10/10 for me is that the story and pacing is just ok. As much as I loved the characters and relationships, I was pretty heavy on the fast forward throughout the drama. It starts with an exciting beginning scene, but then the first 10-15 eps are heavy on trope-y setups, and then various plot arcs around the SWAT stuff and the hospital stuff (while they seem to be well-researched and portrayed) I liberally fast forwarded through since many of them had very little impact on the advancement of characters and relationships, which was what I was there to see.

Where this drama shines is in showing the relationships and interactions between the main characters (and 2nd and 3rd leads). The trust. The communication. The adorable awkwardness of XKL and MK! The amazing sibling relationship between XKL and XKY! XKY and SYH's adult maturity! So much to love!

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Highly recommended

The series is very cool. Like others, I do not like watching series or movies with a sad ending. For me among other series that I've been watched (Chinese Series), this is the best so far for this genre. What I like most is that romantic comedy that does not need a villain.

For me, the ending is the fulfillment of the postponed proposal of Xing Ke Lei to Mi Ka.

Hoping for Season 2 of You are My Hero as the next chapter of their lives from an engaged couple to a married couple.

Thank you very much for this wonderful series (for all of the cast and crew). I really enjoy watching it.

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Very well done mix of medical and law enforcement procedurals with a healthy dose of romance all sprinkled with bits of humor. Definitely worth a watch!

Positives:

* I love that women are portrayed as strong characters: they are all independent and kick-ass in their own fields. There are some maiden-in-distress situations but even those are caused by circumstances and not about the woman’s weakness.

* There is a good amount of action, both medical and SWAT, which helps to move the show along without an overt antagonist. It's nice that the show doesn't have a conniving evil villain to move the plot.

* The SWAT action is done well. I like the flow between the two worlds. Both worlds are given equal time and both are action packed to help move the story along at a fast and exciting pace.

* I really like the two leads. The ML is adorable (he was awesome in Rise of the Phoenixes!) and the FL nails her character. Their romance and love is cute without being syrupy. Extra kudos for making the FL realistic and not coating her in make up and dressing her up in ridiculously fashionable/tight clothing like they do in American doctor shows.🙄

* Even the side romance/love stories are done well. I like the best friends’ romance: also done well and a cute side storyline. I like that there are very few misunderstandings and romantic detours.

Negatives:

* The medical action is not done as well as the SWAT parts (maybe I’ve seen too many really good medical procedurals - loved House.) As a part medical drama, it was annoying to watch them perform CPR without doing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. It's a necessary medical procedure and not a romantic gesture and yet they avoid it like the plague.

* As with many longer shows, there are some slow downs. This was particularly true for episodes 30-34.

* I understand the FL character is suppose to have a more subdued personality but Sandra Ma speaks so softly in this entire show, it’s like she’s whispering all the time. That got annoying and made it hard to hear her clearly.

Conclusion:

I found this drama refreshing and fun to watch. The relationships held my attention and got me fully invested in their emotions. It is action packed and moving between police and medical procedurals helps keep everything fresh and not bogged down in either worlds. Overall highly recommend!

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One of the better romance/action dramas

This has a solid story line and plenty of characters to keep it interesting. There are no typical annoying chacacters or interfering parents to cause the viewer distraction and frustration. A variety of scenarios and plotlines keep you watching with interest. My only frustration and complaint is that those responsible for the production of these dramas give us yet another in what seems to be a continuous line of female leads with stupid, unflattering, unkempt hair syles and absolutely no sense of fashion. Why are the guys always made to be well groomed and fashionable and their female counterparts made to look like they just rolled out of bed and dressed in ugly clothes?

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This one trumps it all for my favourite romance drama!!!

I have been watching dramas for years. I have become my own expert about my own like and dislikes. It's a strange things to say but after a lot of dramas you tend to come across tropes and storylines that are predictable and no longer hold their charms. Just like a jaded relationship- try your best but sadly it no longer feels special. Romance dramas in particular are difficult. The audience have seen it all and there is nothing new under the sun to like.

But boy I was wrong with this one. It got my attention right from the first 5 minutes and it never wavers right through a freaking 40-episode session. I suddenly have an even wider and newer perspectives about romance and relationships. Something in me has been rekindled. The bar has been set impossibly higher. I feel giddy and delighted. How is it possible that a romance so super clean can have many a scenes that make me blushed like mad? In short, I am in love with drama, and will be so for a long long long time.

Give this drama a go. Just watch the first 10 minutes of it and you will know what I mean. You can thank me later.

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Avrebbe potuto essere un 10 pieno se...

Avrebbe potuto essere un 10 pieno se...
Se non si fosse perso brutalmente nella seconda parte. Tutte le vicende pre e durante il terremoto, inclusa la relazione d'amore principale, erano tutte bellissime. Proprio quello che cercavo: azione, drammaticità, amore nel giusto equilibrio. Sentivo già che stava prendendo un posto speciale nel mio cuore. Purtroppo tutto è andato in fumo. Infatti, nella seconda parte del drama l'azione scema quasi completamente lasciando tutto lo spazio alla dolcezza e mielosità della coppia che ci starebbe anche ma non puoi differenziarmelo così tanto da prima. Si vede un evidente squilibrio della serie. Dopo un po' la coppia principale mi ha stufato e tutta la mia attenzione si è spostata su una delle altre coppie dove uno dei personaggi è sempre facente parte della SWAT, coppia la cui storia ho amato. L'altra non la sto nemmeno a nominare perchè... beh non mi è piaciuta. Peccato davvero perchè io sono un amante delle serie americane medico/ospedaliere e quelle basate su corpi militari. Con l'amore a unire il tutto sarebbe stato il connubio perfetto. Peccato davvero.
I primi 20 episodi rimangono cmq tra i più belli e memorabili visti finora nel 2022.

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Medical + military + slice of life = romance drama all in one

While the synopsis of You Are My Hero caught my attention, the length stopped me from starting it. Fear not though, the writers keep your attention from the beginning all the way to ep 40 through events such as earthquakes, toxic workplaces (in the hospital), cute secondary couples, and more. I really loved this drama and recommend it for contemporary drama watchers!

PROS
❀ Lovable leads and couples that you want to root for | While the three main couples (there are four, but the other one is much more minor) have different backgrounds, you want to root for all the characters to get together and find their happiness! The themes of each couple go like this:
1. Mi Ka x Xing Ke Lei: Throughout the series they take turns saving each other, as one is a doctor and one is in the special police force. I love this balance! While their romance wasn't steamy, it was sweet all the same. Both of them are in their first relationships as well, so except a lot of blushing and not knowing what to do when it comes to relationships.
2. Ruan Qing Xia x Shu Wen Bo | City girl/popular reporter meets country himbo who's heartfelt but a tad ignorant. I thought this pair was sugary sweet and loved their chemistry. Fair warning that for this couple there IS a second ML that is also really nice and wholeheartedly devoted, lol, but Xia's loyalty to Shu Wen Bo stays true.
3. Xing Ke Yao x Dr. Shao | LOVE this mature couple, who's on the older side compared to the other couples, and getting their second-chance relationship. Dr. Shao's character is terse/strict yet kind-hearted while Xing Ke Yao, who is Xing Ke Lei's older sister, is savage and straightforward. They were together when they studied abroad and broke up, but neither forgot the other. With the help of friends, they slowly grow closer after meeting each other again in China!
❀ Slice of life energy when it comes to communication and trust | This translates to very little misunderstandings, and although there is some miscommunication going on, the couples learn and grow from those events.
❀ Highlighting frontline workers | When the earthquake event happens (around the teens episodes), it was thrilling to see all the characters step up and work to save earthquake victims. Sometimes they were a team, sometimes they were doing their own department's things. But the whole time, the cast was being pro-active in saving lives in such an intense emergency.
❀ Cute romances and chemistry | I really loved Sandra Ma's character as a hardworking neurosurgeon and her interactions with Bai Jing Ting's character who was in the special police force. While both had busy jobs, they were understanding of one another and flexible when it came to their relationship. Not much skinship or kisses (maybe a couple throughout the series), but their silly and relaxed interactions were so sweet and always brought a smile to my face. They had great chemistry and in general the acting was really well done!

CONS
✕ The second couple (Ruan Qing Xia x Shu Wen Bo) got a little iffy at times | I like how RQX is the chaser in this relationship, but I feel like their conflict was dragged on a bit in the drama. That is, SWB felt as if he wasn't good enough for her, even though she's open about chasing after him, and keeps rejecting her. It got tiring at some points, and RQX's chase was annoying at others. I felt bad for both characters throughout the chase, BUT when they do land on the same page it's really sweet and satisfying to see. I just think it could have dragged less, lol. (Also, I love how the nickname for SWB is "piece of wood," because he's a little dense when it comes to relationships.)
✕ 40 episodes became too long for me... | I don't think the show dragged the 40 episodes out, as there was also some form of conflict that needed to be addressed throughout the series, but I personally didn't have the stamina to keep up with 40 eps. I think when it comes to contemporary romances, 30 eps is my limit haha (and 24 is the sweet spot!). Nonetheless, it helped that the plot never got boring. I think I was just exhausted since I basically binged the series in a couple of days. If I spread the episodes out more, this might have been less of a problem.
✕ Misunderstanding level: 3/10 | They happen but are discussed and fixed because the characters are written as proper adults. This goes for all couples. Nothing that will drag or make watchers annoyed.

OVERALL
This was the first contemporary romance Chinese drama I've seen in YEARS, and it was a great one to start out with. The three powerful couples were composed of lovable characters and the production really allowed the actors to shine, despite it being 40 episodes. Definitely recommended!

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

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